Should “Added Sugar” Labels on Food Be Mandatory?

In the latest battle over sugar content, the FDA is getting ready to review public comments on a proposed labeling regulation that would require companies to tell consumers just how much sugar—not counting natural sweetener found in raw ingredients—is added to food products.

U.S. food regulators are pushing for new labeling to include this distinction because right now people only see total sugar content. Seems like a pretty reasonable request, right? Turns out not everyone feels that way.

Campbell Soup Company is one such place that isn’t on board, citing that this information could cause “dangerous confusion.”

“Sugar is sugar, regardless of the source,” Campbell Soup Company, wrote in a letter to the FDA. “Giving consumers a false impression that reducing added sugars without reducing calories may actually delay finding a real solution to the problem” of obesity, wrote Lisa J. Thorsten, the company’s director of regulatory affairs and nutrition.

While an interesting argument, there’s no denying that as a nation our sugar consumption has sky-rocketed over the years. Wouldn’t it be better to give consumers all of the facts and then let them make the decision of whether to purchase the product?

Health advocates argue that at the very least the extra sugar is a hidden source of empty calories, which is a contributing factor to greater weight gain. Earlier this year, the World Health Organization issued a draft of new guidelines calling for people to cut the recommended amount of sugar they consume by 50 percent.

To put it in perspective, sweeteners are not just added to typically sugar-laden treats, but also products like pasta sauce and breads. Did you know that one tablespoon of ketchup contains about 1 teaspoon of sugar? Pretty sure I consume more than one tablespoon of ketchup while eating fries and a hamburger!